This book was conceived for middle-aged and older Orthodox children with the goal of introducing them to patristic literature in a form accessible to them. But it turned out that the manuscript also attracted the attention of adults. The book consists of two parts: the first is dedicated to the Optina elder, Venerable Ambrose, and the second - to another Optina elder, Saint Anthony. The first part was based on the letters of Saint Ambrose to his spiritual children (monastics) and “Biography Optina Elder Hieroschemamonk Ambrose", compiled by Schema-Archimandrite Agapit (Belovidov), who himself began his monastic feat in Optina Hermitage. The book uses not only selected passages from these letters, but also oral teachings and instructions of Elder Ambrose, reflections on spiritual topics, and examples are given from his life, based on the memories of students and eyewitnesses. Source: